Just had my first bit of the Tama-no-hikari kabuse-cha from Horaido. It's still 100% 2016 tea (which I prefer; his teas are best around a year or so after they're released I find, due to the way he ages them). I haven't ever had this one before, so I can't comment on previous years, but it's a really good uji-cha, one of the best I've had in the price range (1200 yen). Not too gyokuro like either; it tends more towards a sencha flavor which I prefer. A little standard tasting else wise but I can't complain.

I've also had many of his matchas recently: Miyako-no-mukashi, Miyako-no-shiro HG, and the Hatsumukashi. All very tasty, and the miyako might even better as koicha than the miyako-no-mukashi (the more expensive one).

Another great thing about Horaido right now is the shipping: he offers cheap DHL (usually around 15000 yen for the teas I've described whereas EMS is like 2500 for me), which gets to where I'm at in a little over 30 hours after Yasumori-san ships it. Never received tea from Japan as fast as that. Edit: I should mention I'm in the U.S., and the fastest I've ever received tea via ems was just over 3 days. Also forgot to mention the dhl was about 2100 yen.

I am drinking Japanese Sencha which I personally think is some of the best green tea out there. They are fresh and definitely healthy. While green tea sounds general, they taste quite differently from region to region and producer to producer so it is good explore the taste you like. Interestingly, they taste somewhat saltish and sweet while the light bitterness adds another dimension to the tea.

Still drinking the "Superfine Jasmine Downy Dragon Pearls Green Tea" from Teavivre. Brewed at 187°F for 3 minutes. Perfect jasmine green, perfect way to celebrate the Astros winning a World Series game.

ljfnord wrote:
Still drinking the "Superfine Jasmine Downy Dragon Pearls Green Tea" from Teavivre. Brewed at 187°F for 3 minutes. Perfect jasmine green, perfect way to celebrate the Astros winning a World Series game.

Found out I've been steeping this for too short a time. It should be steeped between 5 and 8 minutes. Steeping at 5 minutes produces a much better drink.

Now, if the Astros can just pull themselves together and win Game Seven ...